Morgan

It’s my sixteenth birthday. I’m feeling like a princess, rocking my pretty dress. It’s a gauzy pink gown that goes to my knees and flairs out. It’s everything cute, but my older brother Garrett, or Boomer to his buddies, doesn’t approve. He’s under the impression that I look like a woman. We’re having a massive party at Boomer’s house with a bunch of my classmates along with some members of my brother’s Motorcycle club. Boomer and my other older brother Jackson created this town Steeleville. I attended the high school next town over.

They are my caregivers since our parents’ deaths. My brothers don’t approve of my clothes unless I’m covered from head to toe, but today’s a special occasion, so they’re not making too much of a stink about it. Many of my classmates showed up as we have the party in my brother’s home because they all think he’s gorgeous and the guys want to be on his good side since he’s one of the biggest businessmen around.

“Your brother throws a wicked party. Too bad he won’t pass over the booze.”

“Tony, you know damn well that’s not going to happen.”

“Right, well if I’m a good boy will you go out on a date with me?” I search around the room for a distraction. Tony’s a good-looking guy—hot—most would say, but I’m not interested in him. He’s the typical jock, a player who bangs anything that gives him the time of day. I’m not that kind of girl.

This is one of the many times I’m glad Boomer gave me that rule that Jackson helps enforce. “Probably not. Boomer has made it very clear that I’m not allowed to date until I finish high school. That’s almost two years from now. Why don’t you hit on Suzy? She’s easy.” I drop off the last word because standing next to my brother is a man wearing a Steele Riders patch. He’s truly hot and sexy. His hair has a reddish tint to it, and I wonder if this is the elusive Mick I’ve heard about but never met. I haven’t met most of the members because I’m in school and Boomer and Jackson only meet up with their guys a couple of times a month because they’re busy. I want to meet him now.

“Too easy. Been there done that. I’m out of here.” Good. I nod him off because I don’t care for him. Hell, I forgot he was standing next to me. He’s friends with my other friend and the only reason he was invited. I don’t take my eyes off my brother and his friend. He cracks a smile, and I lose my breath for a moment. As if he hears my audible gasp, he meets my eyes. He stares just for a second before joining their conversation and taking a swig of his beer.

“Hey, beautiful. I came over to save you from the Tony, but he must have seen me coming or maybe…he didn’t like to compete for your attention,” Jackson says coyly. I give him a cocked brow. “He was hitting on me again, so I’ve been staring at Boomer. Who’s that over there talking to him?” I ask him. I say it with indifference, but that’s not the way I’m feeling inside. I’m a wreck internally. I can feel a shiver creep up my body and I manage to tame it before Jackson takes a look back at me.

“Oh, that’s right. You’ve never met, Mick. I forgot about that. Let me introduce you to him. We’ve known him for the past three years, but he works a lot for a tattoo shop in Dallas.”

“I’ve only met most of your crew the past few months anyway.”

“That’s because your young and we both don’t feel it’s right for you to be around a bunch of older men who you’ve got nothing in common with. Many of whom you know have been to war and back.”

“If you trust them, then why does it matter?” I ask, taking a drink of the punch I made for the party.

“We don’t want you to catch feelings for a guy who’s too old for you.”

“Me? Catch feelings? Please. I barely like you.”

“Come on, you little shit. Let me introduce you to the tat master. He’ll be starting his shop in town this week. It’s going to be across the street from the bank.” We walk up to Boomer and Mick. I’m doing my best to remain calm, but I want to run my hands all over his tats.

My brother wraps his arm around my shoulder and asks, “Hey, Morgan, how are you enjoying your party?”

“It’s good. Thanks, Boomer.” I press my head against his chest briefly. I’m doing my best to act nonchalant, but I come off bubbly I’m sure.

“Yeah, I came over here to introduce Mick to Morgan,” Jackson mentions, tipping his head at Boomer.

“Shit, I forgot. My bad. Morgan this is Ewan McMann or as we call him Mick.”

“Hi,” I say with a fake smile. I feel unprepared for how gorgeous Mick is up close. It’s magnified a thousand times over.